Verdict . News

Supreme Court of Louisiana

Dec 18, 2025•2 min read

Louisiana Supreme Court Affirms Tort Interest Rules in Bilalis Case

The Louisiana Supreme Court affirmed lower court rulings in a personal injury case, clarifying that legal interest accrues from the date of judicial demand even when a judgment mistakenly references the jury verdict date. The court ruled with one dissent in Evangelia Bilalis v. Wallace Drennan and Zurich American Insurance Company.

•Supreme Court affirmed lower courts with one dissent by Justice Guidry

•Legal interest accrues from judicial demand date even when judgment mistakenly references jury verdict date

Supreme Court of Louisiana

Louisiana Supreme Court Bars 'Betterment' Deductions in Auto Damage Claims

The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that tortfeasors cannot deduct for 'betterment' when compensating victims for vehicle property damage, affirming full indemnification while reversing penalty awards in a case involving a 2023 rear-end collision.

•Louisiana Supreme Court unanimously rejected betterment deductions in third-party tort property damage claims

•Court affirmed full indemnification principle but reversed penalty awards as case presented legal issue of first impression

•Kentucky Supreme Court unanimously affirmed conviction on six felony counts including first-degree sodomy and sexual abuse

Kentucky Supreme Court Affirms Child Sex Abuse Conviction

The Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed the conviction and 20-year prison sentence of Airan Hernandez Mendez for multiple counts of child sexual abuse involving twin 5-year-old girls. Hernandez Mendez was found guilty of three counts of first-degree sodomy, two counts of first-degree sexual abuse, and distribution of obscene matter to a minor.

•Defendant received 20-year prison sentence for crimes against twin 5-year-old girls in his household

•Kentucky Supreme Court issued mixed ruling on insurance discovery dispute involving Allied World and Kentucky State University

Kentucky Supreme Court Rules on Insurance Discovery Dispute

The Kentucky Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling December 18, 2025, in a case involving Allied World Specialty Insurance Company's challenge to discovery orders in an employment practices liability dispute with Kentucky State University. The court affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded the case.

•Court affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded case challenging Franklin Circuit Court discovery orders

•Nevada Supreme Court affirmed dismissal of battery explosion lawsuit against LG Chem for lack of personal jurisdiction

Nevada Supreme Court

Nevada Supreme Court Affirms Dismissal of Battery Explosion Suit

The Nevada Supreme Court affirmed a district court's dismissal of a products liability lawsuit against Korean battery manufacturer LG Chem for lack of personal jurisdiction. Nevada resident Roberto Franceschi sued after suffering severe burns when a lithium-ion battery exploded in his pocket.

•Nevada resident Roberto Franceschi suffered severe burns when lithium-ion battery exploded in his pocket

•Kentucky Supreme Court denied motion to indefinitely suspend attorney Arthur McLaughlin III despite his failure to respond to initial disciplinary charges

Kentucky Supreme Court Denies Suspension of Louisville Attorney

The Kentucky Supreme Court denied a motion to indefinitely suspend Louisville attorney Arthur Joseph McLaughlin III from practicing law after he failed to respond to disciplinary charges. McLaughlin provided a feasible explanation for his initial failure to respond to charges involving a $5,000 unearned retainer fee dispute.

•Underlying complaint involves $5,000 unearned retainer from child custody case client Terry Miller that McLaughlin allegedly failed to return

•Attorney Daniel Thompson received 180-day probated suspension for failing to meet trial obligations in criminal case

Kentucky Supreme Court Approves 180-Day Probated Suspension for Attorney

The Kentucky Supreme Court approved a negotiated 180-day suspension, probated for two years, for attorney Daniel Louis Thompson following multiple professional misconduct violations in a criminal case representation.

•Thompson failed to file required jury instructions and did not meet with client before trial

•William Virgil was wrongfully imprisoned for 28 years for a murder that DNA evidence proved he did not commit

Kentucky Supreme Court Affirms Insurance Company Win in Wrongful Conviction Case

The Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed a lower court ruling favoring Westport Insurance Company in a coverage dispute involving William Virgil, who was wrongfully imprisoned for 28 years for a murder that DNA evidence proved he did not commit.

•Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed that Westport Insurance has no coverage obligations for civil rights claims against Newport

•Kentucky Supreme Court affirmed Jonathan Puckett's life sentence for intentional murder and related charges

Kentucky Supreme Court Affirms Life Sentence in Puckett Murder Case

The Kentucky Supreme Court has upheld the conviction and life sentence of Jonathan Puckett, who was found guilty of intentional murder, second-degree arson, tampering with physical evidence, and being a persistent felony offender in connection with a 2014 killing.

•Case involved 2014 killing of coworker Thomas Ray Pendygraft following theft of prescription pills